Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
On this week’s regular segment in collaboration with OurActionStation, we’re discussing digital exclusion in the public sector, and the shift to online forms of communication that is leaving some of our population behind.
Andrew Hubbard, Deputy Chief Executive of The Citizens Advice Bureau, spoke with Trishil Dahya about their petition, and their push to gain governmental support for those feeling excluded from reaching out for help using online means.
Trishil speaks to Andrew Hubbard from the Citizens Advice Bureau on this week's segment of OurActionStation: about their push to open accessibility for digital governmental services. Trishil also speaks to Emeritus Economics Professor Tim Hazledean from the University of Auckland about the extension of the fuel tax cut
Joe speaks to Professor Jeremy Krebs, from the University of Otago, about developing Aotearoa New Zealand's wellbeing diet, He Rourou Whai Painga. Joe also speaks to Professor Michael Baker from the University of Otago about how Australia and New Zealand are managing COVID-19 during Winter. He also chats with Dr Nic Rawlence, from the Palaeogenetics Lab at the University of Otago, about New Zealand's extinct reptiles.
Today saw Casper host his final Friday Wire before the Second Semester Schedule Shakeup™ sees him take over the Tuesday Wire and Liam take on hosting duties from next Friday onwards! On todays show.
Casper had a chat with All Aboard Aotearoa about the recent High Court ruling on their case with Auckland Transport alongside City Counsellor Pippa Coom.
Liam had a chat with Michael Plank from the University of Canterbury about recent government changes making masks and RAT tests free.
They also spoke with Anita Rosentreter about First Unions court case against Uber.
Casper also had a chat with someone from the Real Estate Institute about housing market data and what all of the numbers mean.
And finally Liam chatted to Christchurch City Councillor James McLellan about Te Kaha, the city's new stadium, being given the go ahead.
The High Court has ruled in favour of Auckland Transport in a case brought against the council managed organisation by All Aboard Aotearoa.
The case was over Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Plan or RLTP which would lead to a 6% increase in transport emissions in Auckland.
Casper spoke to Zoe Brentnall from All Aboard Aotearoa about the case and what the RLTP says about the council's commitment to combatting climate change.
The government has recently announced that they’re moving the make masks and RAT tests free to encourage people protecting themselves against the winter Covid wave.
Although we will not remain at Red, the country is likely to reach another peak of twenty one thousand towards the end of the month.
The masks and tests will be accessible fromm collection spots and incredibly important to getting us through winter according to Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.
To learn more, Liam had a chat with Michael Plank, a professor at the University of Canterbury specialising in applying mathematics to health.
The latest Market Report released by the Retail Institute of New Zealand shows a slow in price growth as well as a decrease in the volume of house sales.
A move by the Reserve Bank this week to raise the official cash rate to 2.5 percent may lead to further impact on the real estate market.
To get a sense of what this data means, especially in terms of future housing affordability, Casper spoke to Jen Baird from the Retail Institute.
After weeks of tension, the Ōtautahii City Council has voted to begin construction on Te Kaha, a brand new stadium for the city.
The cost of 683 million dollars for construction has been a major point of contention, but the effects of civic pride and support for the city's events industry could make it worth it. .
Liam had a chat with Jake McLelland, the Christchurch Central West councillor about the stadium located in his ward.
First Union and E tū have launched a court case against Technology and transport giant Uber.
The groups believe the company has been refusing to take responsibility for their workers and aren't treating them as employees.
Uber has been under mass criticism across the world lately, as a trove of leaked files have shown how the companies leaders were making unethical decisions consciously.
Aneeka is covering for Emilia this week! On the Thursday Wire this week:
Tuva’a speaks to Labour Party’s Andrew Little about the five eyes countries linked to the attempted purchase of Pegasus spyware.
Emilia speaks to Claire Breen from the University of Waikato Law School about the concerns surrounding the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill.
She also speaks to Professor Richard Easther from the Department of Physics at Auckland Uni about the James Webb Space Telescope after the first images were released from it yesterday
And on Green Desk this week, Frances talks to Robyn Haygh, CEO of Trees That Count about their native tree planting initiative.
Earlier this week, Nasa unveiled a series of images taken from the James Webb Space Telescope. Launched on Christmas Day last year, the telescope is the largest optical telescope in space, and its greatly improved infrared resolution and sensitivity allows it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope.
To get the reaction of astronomers and scientists to these images, Emilia spoke to Professor Richard Easther from the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
With the rise of fast fashion outlets like Shein and Temu alongside the wider mainstream options available that contribute substantial amounts of clothing waste to landfill, experts are calling for an urgent response on a governance, business, and individual level.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Mindful Fashion Chief Executive Jacinta Fitzgerald about the problem, and the industry response to sustainability, as well as University of Auckland Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the importance of ethical consumption.for individuals.
First, is the interview with Fitzgerald, where she begins by talking about the organisation Mindful Fashion.
Following this, Sara spoke to Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the research he has undertaken around consumerism.
95bFM 
